2015 Volkswagen Passat Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 20%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the electrical system of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased the vehicle from empire auto used. I had an issue with the horn and they told me it was a recall on the clockspring. I decided to take it to the dealer itself for the service. The part has been replace like 3 times already. I consider this a safety issue. They can't figure out it keeps happening. Please advice, the last service date was on 01/25/2021. At the present time I got no horn again.”
NHTSA complaint #11395451, filed 2021-02, 67,000 miles“I experienced the same issue that the 2012-2013 model passats experienced in that the low beam died multiple times. I had to replace the headlight housing on the passenger three times after the original owner replaced it once. I took it to a Volkswagen dealership and they finally figured out the root of the problem. The applied the same fix that was part of a 2012-2013 model recall and got the headlight working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #11203019, filed 2019-04, 19,000 miles“My DPF sensors melted while driving, almost causing me to crash as the car lost power while driving speed limit (70mph) and suddenly went down to 45mph. Dealer replaced sensors, but problem was not fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11255511, filed 2019-09, 70,000 miles“I was parked on flat ground while starting my car this morning and noticed the air bag light on the dash board stayed light. Then I noticed the stereo control on the steering wheel was not light and did not work. At work I did some research and found that it could be the clock spring. When I got home from work I tested my horn to find that my horn does not work. My vehicle has 47773 miles and I bought it new. I'm almost positive it is the clock spring after all the research I have done. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152368, filed 2018-11, 47,773 miles“I was in my drive way and started my car when the air bag malfunction light came on in my car. At that point the horn, cruise control, phone, and radio functions all stopped working on my steering wheel. I looked in my owner manual and it said to call the dealership immediately. When I called - the vw dealership I normally go to said it would be 2-3 weeks before they could get me in. I asked if the vehicle was safe to drive and they, of course, would not tell me yes or no. …”
NHTSA complaint #11015858, filed 2017-08, 66,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a…
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10249136Jan 11, 2024Addressing Cybersecurity or Vehicle Hack concerns
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 4 | 20% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2018 | 10 | 22% |
| 2017 | 18 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 48 | 20% |
| 2014 | 74 | 12% |
| 2013 | 93 | 12% |
| 2012 | 95 | 20% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 21 | 13% |
| 2009 | 18 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 14% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 8% |
| 2003 | 90 | 14% |
| 2002 | 220 | 35% |
| 2001 | 73 | 17% |
| 2000 | 43 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 13 | 35% |
| 1996 | 14 | 35% |
| 1995 | 15 | 16% |
| 1994 | 5 | 20% |
| 1993 | 14 | 21% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
88 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology